Student Audience

Prerequisite

Course Description

MATH 230 - Differential Equations
Hours: 4 lecture - 0 lab - 4 credit
Math 230, Differential Equations, begins with some definitions and terminology and mathematical models used in a differential equations course. First-order and higher-order differential equations, along with the methods of solutions and their applications are introduced. Modeling with higher-order, Laplace transform, and systems of linear first-order differential equations are covered. At the end, students learn series solutions of linear equations. Numerical methods are covered throughout the course.

Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)

Differential Equations is the Mathematics Majors course MTH 912. This is the IAI description for the course.

The course must cover linear equations of the first order; linear equations with constant coefficients; the general linear equation; variation of parameters; undetermined coefficients; linear independence; the Wronskian; exact equations; separation of variables; and applications. In addition, the course must cover at least two or three of the following topics: systems of linear differential equations; solution of Laplace transforms; existence and uniqueness of solutions; solution by power series; oscillation and comparison theorems; partial differential equations; boundary value problems; numerical methods; and stability of solutions. Prerequisite: MTH 902, Calculus II.

General Course Objectives

While learning differential equations is certainly one of the goals of this course, it is not the only objective. Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to ...

demonstrate comprehension and understanding in the topics of the course through symbolic, numeric, and graphic methods

demonstrate the use of proper mathematical notation

use technology when appropriate and know the limitations of technology

work with others towards the completion of a common goal

use deductive reasoning and critical thinking to solve problems

Specific Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to ...

classify differential equations by order, linearity, and homogeneity

solve first order linear differential equations

solve linear equations with constant coefficients

use separation of variables to solve differential equations

solve exact differential equations

use variation of parameters to solve differential equations

use the method of undetermined coefficients to solve differential equations

determine whether a system of functions is linearly independent using the Wronksian

model real-life applications using differential equations

use power series to solve differential equations

use Laplace transforms and their inverses to solve differential equations

Type of Instruction

Discussion, problem solving, student questions, student participation, oral presentations, and lecture. Students are expected to read the material before coming to class and are strongly encouraged to come to class with a list of questions and to ask these questions.

Method of Evaluation

Could include any of the following: problem solving exams, objective exams, essays, research papers, oral presentations, group projects, quizzes, homework.

Grading Policy

Letter grades will be assigned to final adjusted scores as follows:

A: 90-100%,

B: 80 - 89%,

C: 70-79%,

D: 60-69%,

F: below 60%

Consideration may be given to such qualities as attendance, class participation, attentiveness, attitude in class, and cooperation to produce the maximum learning situation for everyone.

The instructor will give you a grade sheet so that you can record your scores and keep track of your progress in the course. If you are concerned about your grades, see the instructor.

Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the date they are due. The instructor may allow you to turn them in later that day without counting them late, but do not count on his graciousness. Late assignments lose 20% of their value per class period. The instructor reserves the right to apply this rule to missed exams as well as regular assignments. No late work will be accepted after the final.

Attendance Policy

If you miss the first day of class or any two consecutive days after that without communicating with the instructor, you may be dropped.

Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory completion of this course. Mathematics is a cumulative subject and each day builds on the previous day's material. If you have excessive absences, you cannot develop to your fullest potential in the course.

Students who, because of excessive absences, cannot complete the course successfully, are required to be administratively dropped from the class at midterm. If a student stops attending after midterm, it is the student's responsibility to withdraw to avoid an "F". Do not stop attending and assume that you will be withdrawn from the class by the instructor.

Although dropping students for non-attendance at midterm is required, students whose attendance is occasional or sporadic may be dropped from the class at any point during the semester at the instructor's discretion. The safest way to make sure you're not dropped for non-attendance is to continue to attend classes.

The student is responsible for all assignments, changes in assignments, or other verbal information given in the class, whether in attendance or not.

If a student must miss class, a call to the instructor (RCC's phone system has an answering system) should be made or an email message sent. When a test is going to be missed, the student should contact the instructor ahead of time if at all possible. Under certain circumstances, arrangements can be made to take the test before the scheduled time. If circumstances arise where arrangements cannot be made ahead of time, the instructor should be notified and a brief explanation of why given by either voice or email. This notification must occur before the next class period begins.

Technology

The use of technology in this course is consistent with the Technology Statement in the Illinois Mathematics & Computer Science Articulation Guide (IMACC, 2008, p. 4). Technology is used to enhance the learning of Differential Equations, but it is not the focus of the instruction. There will be instances when we will use the calculator or computer to aid in our understanding or remove some of the tediousness of the calculations (especially in the area of numerical approximations). There may be some projects, homework, or portions of a test that require you to use technology to complete.

Here are some of the technology tools that we may use.

Calculator

This class is a mathematics class and a graphing calculator is required. A scientific calculator is not sufficient. The calculator should be capable of graphing functions, finding roots, maximums, and minimums from a graph, displaying tables of values, and finding the definite integral numerically. A Texas Instruments TI-84 or TI 83 is the recommended calculator. That said, a TI-92, TI-89, or TI Nspire CAS calculator is recommended for this course if you plan on taking additional calculus or engineering courses.

Calculators may be used to do homework and may be used on exams and/or quizzes in class unless otherwise announced.

Maxima

Maxima is an open-source computer algebra system that is free for you to download and use at home. It is available from http://maxima.sourceforge.net/

WinPlot

WinPlot is a free graphing software package for Windows written by Rick Parris at Phillips Exeter Academy in NH. The software is useful for creating graphs and it is easy to copy/paste the graphs into other applications. You may download the software by right-clicking your mouse on the word "WinPlot" at the top of the page http://math.exeter.edu/rparris/winplot.html and choosing save.

Microsoft Excel

This spreadsheet application is useful for numerical methods such as Euler, Improved Euler, and Runge-Kutta 4. It is loaded on all of the student computers at Richland.

Additional Supplies

The student should have a pencil, red pen, ruler, graph paper, stapler, and paper punch. The student is expected to bring calculators and supplies as needed to class. The calculator should be brought daily. There will be a paper punch and stapler in the classroom.

Additional Help

The student is encouraged to seek additional help when the material is not comprehended. Mathematics is a cumulative subject; therefore, getting behind is a very difficult situation for the student. There are several places where you can seek additional help in your classes.

Instructor

I try to make myself as available to the students as I can. My office hours are listed at the beginning of this syllabus, but those are just the times I'm scheduled to be in my office. Grab me and ask me questions if you see me in the hallway. Ask questions before or after class. If I'm in my office and it's not my scheduled office hours, go ahead and stop in.

The instructor should be considered the authoritative source for material related to this class. If a tutor or other student says something that disagrees with the instructor, believe the instructor.

Study Groups

Probably the best thing you can do for outside help is to form a study group with other students in your class. Work with those students and hold them accountable. You will understand things much better if you explain it to someone else and study groups will also keep you focused, involved, and current in the course.

Academic Success Center

The Academic Success Center consolidates several student services into one area. It is located in the south wing of the first floor next to the Kitty Lindsay Learning Resources Center (library).

Testing

The testing center is located in room S116. You must provide a photo identification and know the name of your instructor to use this service.

Tutoring

The tutoring center provides tutoring on a walk-in or appointment basis in room S118. They also have computers with the mathematical software loaded on it.

Quality tutors for the upper level mathematics are difficult to find. Please consider forming a study group among your classmates.

Accommodations

There are accommodations available for students who need extended time on tests, note takers, readers, adaptive computer equipment, braille, enlarged print, accessible seating, sign language interpreters, books on tape, taped classroom lectures, writers, or tutoring. If you need one of these services, then you should see Learning Accommodation Services in room C148. If you request an accommodation, you will be required to provide documentation that you need that accommodation.

Academic Dishonesty

Each student is expected to be honest in his/her class work or in the submission of information to the College. Richland regards dishonesty in classroom and laboratories, on assignments and examinations, and the submission of false and misleading information to the College as a serious offense.

A student who cheats, plagiarizes, or furnishes false, misleading information to the College is subject to disciplinary action up to and including failure of a class or suspension/expulsion from the College.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Richland Community College policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, marital or parental status, national origin or ancestry, age, mental or physical disability (except where it is a bonafide occupational qualification), sexual orientation, military status, status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

Electronic Communication Devices

The Mathematics and Sciences Division prohibits the use of cell phones, pagers, and other non-learning electronic communication equipment within the classroom. All equipment must be turned off to avoid disturbances to the learning environment. If a student uses these devices during an examination, quiz, or any graded activity, the instructor reserves the right to issue no credit for these assignments. The instructor needs to approve any exceptions to this policy.